Upon Our Lord’s Sermon on the Mount Discourse X · §26 · John Wesley

Second thoughts and counsel

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Indeed we could not easily fall into sinful judging, were we only to observe that rule which another of those Heathen Romans affirms to have been the measure of his own practice. “I am so far,” says he, “from lightly believing every man's, or any man's, evidence against another, that I do not easily or immediately believe a man's evidence against himself. I always allow him second thoughts, and many times counsel too.” Go, you who are called a Christian, and do likewise, lest the Heathen rise and condemn you in that day (Matthew 12:41).

1771 text

13. Indeed we could not easily fall into sinful judging, were we only to observe that rule, which another of those Heathen Romans affirms to have been the measure of his own practice. “I am so far, says he, from lightly believing every man’s, or any man’s evidence against another, that I do not easily or immediately believe a man’s evidence against himself. I always allow him second thoughts, and many times council too.” Go thou who art called a Christian, and do likewise, lest the Heathen rise and condemn thee in that day.

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About this text

The tenth sermon on the Sermon on the Mount, on Matthew 7:1-12: judging others, holy things and pearls, asking, seeking and knocking, and the golden rule.

EditionPrinted in Wesley's 1771 Works, which do not say when he preached it

Wesley's own sermon in updated English wording. The 1771 panel is the text of the Works Wesley himself had printed in 1771. It is public domain.

Reference

Sermon 30 in the 1771 Works. Matthew 7:1-12.

We have not yet re-checked this work against its source. We put this English text into updated wording with AI help. No scholar has yet certified it as faithful and complete. Open the 1771 text under any part to compare.

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